Machine for folding paper or other materials



Oct. 27, 1936.

MACHINE R. HITCHCOCK 2,058,877

FOR FOLDING PAPER OR OTHER MATERIALS Filed April 17, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Lawrence. Hitchcock, H. Mor/cy Hitchcock, C.\n/. Hitchcock and D.B.-Meo.clmm, Executors,

BY Ruhm/Mn A TTORNEYS.

Oct. 27, 1936. R- HITCHCOCK 2,058,877

MACHINE FOR FOLDING PAPER OR OTHER MATERIALS Filed April 17, 1955 5 ShEeS-Sheeb 2 Fi?. Z 11 31 SZ B S1 l* 6 INVENTOR. 5B `110` 111 B5 BZ' 114 Reuben Hitchcock, Deceased,

. Lawrence Hitchcock, HMor/ey a@ Hichcock, C.\/. Hitchcock and D. B. Meacham, Execufors,

1s .m BY 31 50 El 83 ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 27, 1936. R HITCHCOCK 2,@5877 MACHINE FOR FOLDING PAPER OR OTHER MATERIALS Filed April 17, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 va 1a 78 ze INVENTOR.

5 Reubcn Hitchcock, Deceased, Lawrence. Hitchcock, H. Mor/ey Htchcck, CJM Hitchcock and DcMeachaf-n, Executors,

ATTORNEYS.

lower edges, to the vertical or cross Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNiTED STATE Reuben Hitchcock,

hio, by Lawrence cock,

, Application April 17,

Claims.

This invention relates to folding machines and more particularly to folding machines of the buckle type that are capable of making folds and cross folds in sheet material fed therethrough.

, In the patent to Reuben Hitchcock, No. 1,273,- 609, granted July 23, 1918, there is disclosed a buckle type folding machine for making folds and cross folds in sheets of paper or the like, and wherein the first fold mechanism comprises relatively displaeeabl normally horizontal folding devicesl from any one of which a sheet fed therethrough and folded thereby may, through the provision of a vertically adjustable cross feed mechanism, be delivered directly to a cross fold mechanism disposed vertically or at right angles to the first fold mechanism and .adapted for vthe making of a' fold in said sheet at right angles to the fold or folds made therein by the preselected folding device or devices of said first fold mechanism.

'I'he machine shown in said patent, while entirely satisfactory in accomplishing the results for which it is designed, is incapable, particularly between the horizontally and vertically disposed folding mechanisms aforesaid, of 'cutting or dividing a sheet into separate sections and delivering them one after another, While standing on their fold mechanism, and it is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved buckle type folding machine which will accomplish these results regardless of the particular folding device or devices of the first fold mechanism employed, and regardless of the size of the original sheet and the sections produced therefrom. f

Another object of the present invention is to provide a buckle type foldingmachine which will cut or divide a sheet into separate sections and feed them standing on edge to a folding mechanism at right angles to a similar mechanism from which the original sheet was delivered.

Another object of the present invention is to` provide a buckle type folding machine embodying cutting and feeding means capable of receiving sheet material selectively from different parts of one folding mechanism divide the material into separate sections and feed them, while they stand on their lower edges, one -after another directly `from the .preselected part or parts of said folding mechanism at right angles thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a buckle type folding machine with feed mechanism which will engage a standing series or plurality of separate sheet sections on both.

and which will cut or folding mechanism to another s kraiuzrrr "f0pFlCE- FOR FGLDING PAPER OR. OTHER- MATERIALS deceased, late of Cleveland,

Hitchcock, H. Morley 'Hitch- C. W. Hitchcock, Meacham, Cincinnati, Ohio, ors to Dexter Folder Company, a corporation of N ew York Cleveland,and D. B- executors, assign- New York, N. Y.,

1935, Serial No. 16,82

sides of lower edge portions of each section and feed said sections, while they stand on their lower edges,` one after another to a part of said machine Another object of the present invention is tol provide an improved feed mechanism for folding or other machines, which embodies guide means and opposed roller and ball devices arranged and operated in such relation that separate sheet sections may be fed one after another thereby while standing and supported on their lower edges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet cutting and feeding unit for use between angularly related folding or other mechanisms and which is adjustable to receive sheet material selectively from different parts of one of the mechanisms, cut the material into separate sections, and feed saidsections one after another to the other mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet cutting and feeding unit of the type aforesaid and wherein the cutting and feeding devices are arranged or mounted for relative adjustment while at the same time being adjustable as a unit with respect to a mechanism from.

ing or other machines and which hasV flared or;- other suitably formed guides adjustable with rev spect to each other and with said unit. 4 Y

These and other objects of the present inven tion will appear as the following description Vthereof proceeds, and in order to more clearly understand the inventive idea, reference may be had to the accompanying .drawings illustrating 'two embodiments of said invention.

In said drawingsz-f Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view of a buckletype Vfolding machine constituting one embodiment of thepresent in v vention; 1

Fig. 2 is an end view,

machine; l 1

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section, of cross feed and folding mechanisms shown in Fis. 2; Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal partly in section, of said sectional view of a buckle type folding machine constituting another embodiment of the present invention Fig. 5 is a detail view, partly in section, of cross feed mechanism shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryslde elevation of said last mentioned cross feed mechanism; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of means for driving the cutters and cross feed mechanism shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters 'designate like parts throughout the several views, the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. l and 2 comprises a buckle type folding machine having side frames 5 and 6, a horizontally disposed feed table 1 including driven rollers 8 extending diagonally thereof, a feed roller 9 disposed forwardly of said table, and feed wheels I0 which are located above said feed roller and frictionally driven thereby.

The feed table 1, which is of well known construction, is supported in any suitable manner on and between the side frames 5, 6 at the top and rear thereof, and the rollers 8 are driven by any suitable means in order to feed sheets from a supply thereof to feeding and folding instrumentalities hereinafter described. The feed roller 9 is journalled in suitable bearings on said side frames and said roller is driven by the usual gearing (not shown) generally employed for this purpose. The feed wheels I 0 are journalled on a shaft II which is mounted in any suitable manner on the side frames 5, 6, and sheets fed one after another by the rollers 8 to the feed roller 9 and feed wheels I0 are delivered thereby in like manner to the aforesaid feeding and folding instrumentalities over an inclined plate I2. Accidental displacement of the sheets upwardly from the plate I2 is prevented by a plate I3 located above the same in spaced parallel rela-` tion therewith, and said plates are supported in any suitable manner on the side frames 5 and 6.

Journalled in suitable bearings in brackets I4, I4 (Fig. 2) that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to side frame 5 is a. short shaft I5 which has fixed thereon a pulley I 6 that is driven by a belt (not shown) from any suitable source of power. The shaft I5 also has fixed thereon one of the gears of a train thereof indicated at I1 and journalled in any suitable manner on the side frame 5. The gear of train I1 that is fixed on shaft I5 meshes with a gear I8 which is fixed on the top roller I9 of a vertical bank or series of horizontal parallel feeding and folding rollers includi ng said roller I9 and rollers 20, 2 I, 22, 23 andl 24. This vertical bank or series of rollers, and a plurality of parallel horizontal fold plates 25, 26, 21, 28 associated therewith, comprise the flrst fold mechanism to the rollers I9, 20 of which sheets are fed one after another over the plate I2 by the described means for this purpose.

'I'he first fold mechanism and sheet stops and deflectors (not shown) of well known construction employed therewith, yenable one, two, three or four folds to be made ln a sheet by feeding, buckling and folding it in a manner well understood in the art and requiring no detailed explanation herein. This first fold mechanism is preferably divided into relatively displaceable sections or folding devices, as disclosed in Hitchcock Patent No. 1,273,609 above referred to. Accordingly, the rollers 23, 24 and the fold plates 21, 28 are journalled and mounted, respectively, on a supplemental frame including side members actas?? 29 and 30 that are fixed on a rod 3i journalled in suitable bearings on the side frames 5 and 8.

. The rod 3| has fixed thereon bars 32 for swinging the supplemental frame and parts carried thereby into and out of their operative and inoperative position indicated by full and dotted lines, respectively, in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Pins 33 and 34 on the side frames 5, G serve to hold the supplemental frame and the parts carried thereby in their operative and inoperative positions, the bars 32 being engaged with said pins after said supplemental frame and parts have been swung to said positions.

The rollers I9, 20, 2I, 22 and the fold plates 25, 26 are journalled and mounted, respectively, on the side frames 5, 8, and in the operative position of the supplemental frame and parts carried thereby, these rollers and the rollers 23, 24 are all driven by a train of gears 35 each fixed on one of said rollers. 'I'he gears on the rollers 22 and 23 are engaged and disengaged as the supplemental frame and parts carried thereby are moved to their operative and inoperative positions, respectively. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the machine therein shown includes a second or cross fold mechanism of the buckle type the parts of which are disposed vertically or at right angles to the first fold mechanism and mounted on the side frame 6 of said machine. This second or cross fold mechanism is Fixed on the short shaft I5 is a bevel gear 3l which meshes with a bevel gear 31 that is fixed on the upper end of a vertical shaft 38 journalled in suitable bearings on brackets 39 and 40 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame 5. 'I'he shaft 38 has fixed on the lower end thereof a bevel gear 4I which meshes with a bevel gear 42 that is fixed on a short shaft 43 Journalled in suitable bearings on the bracket 40. 'I'his short shaft 43 has fixed thereon a spur gear (not shown) which meshes with a similar gear 44 that is fixed on one end of a cross shaft 45 Journalled in suitable bearings on bracket 40 and a bracket 48. The bracket 46 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame 8. The opposite end of cross shaft 45 has fixed thereon a bevel gear 41 which meshes with a bevel gear 48 that is fixed on a roller 49 disposed vertically at right angles to the rollers of the first fold mechanism. This roller 49 and vertical rollers 50 and 5I parallel therewith and also disposed at right angles to the rollers of the first fold mechanism, are journalled in suitable bearings on the bracket 48 and a bracket 52 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to side frame 6.

The roller 49, through the described driving connections therefor with the driven shaft I5, is thus driven from the latter, and the rollers 59 and 5I are driven from roller-49 through a train of gears 53 each fixed on one of said rollers. The second or cross fold mechanism, in addition to the feeding and folding rollers 49; 50, 5I, includes a fold plate 54 operatively associated therewith and mounted in any suitable manner on the brackets 46 and 52 to extend vertically or at right angles to the parts of the first fold mechanism. The second or cross fold mechanism is provided with a sheet stop and a deiiector 30' preferably operated and constructed as follows.

habeas?? mechanism will, if the deiiector is in inoperative position, make a cross fold in said material at right angles to the fold or folds previously made therein by the first fold mechanism. This cross fold results from the feeding, buckling and folding of the sheet material by the cross fold mechanism in av manner well understood in the art and requiring no detail explanation herein. The sheet material may, however, through the use of the deiiector of the cross fold mechanism, be, fed therethrough without folding thereby, if so desired.

The mst fold mechanism and the seco-nd :01d

mechanism have interposed therebetween means for acting upon and feeding sheet material from one to the other of said mechanisms. Said means, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a cutting and feeding unit adjustable to receive sheetmaterlal from different relatively displaceable devices of the first fold mechanism and adapted to cut the material into sections and feed them standing on edge one after another directly from the pre-selected folding clevice or devices of the first fold mechanism to said second or cross fold mechanism. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. l,

' 2 and 3. the aforesaid cutting and feeding unit is operated and constructed as follows.

wilhe shaft for the lowermost gear of the train il has fixed thereon a spur gear 55 which, in the full line position of the parts shown in Figs. l and 3 of the drawings, meshes with a similar gear iid that is fixed on one end of a. shaft l. rlihis shaft 51 is journalled in suitable bearings in biocks 51' that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured on lugs or extensions 58 formed on and projecting upwardly from an upper cross bar 58 of a frame that is indicated broadly at t8. This frame 88 includes a lower cross bar 8|, and side members 62, 62' the upper ends of which are fitted in suitable openings in the cross bar 59 and rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner. The lower ends of the side frame members 82, 82' are td in suitable openings in the cross bar 6|, and said side frame members, with the upper cross bar, are adjustable toward and away from the first fold mechanism and held in adjusted position, through the medium of set screws 83 threaded in the lower cross bar 6| through plates 83' releasably clamped by said screws on the members 82, 82'. rEhe lower cross bar 6| is provided with lugs or ears 84 having suitable openings therein for bushings |55. The cross shaft 45 passes through the bushings 85, supports the frame 80 and parts carried thereby, and provides a horizontal pivot for the frame 88 at the lower end thereof about which said frame and said parts may be swung to their operative and inoperative positions illustrated in full and dotted lines, respectively, in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The cross feed frame 68 and parts carried thereby are held in operative position by a bar 88 pivoted at 61 on said frame and provided with a hook 68 that is engaged over a stud t9 on side frames 5 and 8 and locked on said stud by a wing nut 'ill threaded thereon. l

The shaft 51 has adjustably mounted thereon at intervals cutters 1|, and the gear 55 on said shaft meshes with a gear l2 that is fixed on a shaft 13 having cutters 'i4 adjustably mounted thereon in cooperative relation with the cutters 1|. The shaft 13 is journalled in suitable bearings on blocks 51 which, as previously pointed out, are secured on the lugs or extension 58 of the upper cross bar 59, and said blocks have bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, a guide 15. This guide serves to direct a sheet from rollers of theflrst fold mechanism to and between the cutters 1|, 14 which act to cut said sheets into a series of separate sections 18. The series of separate sheet sections 18 are delivered downwardly into the frame 88 through a guidel 11 on the upper cross bar 59 of said frame.

The side members 82, 62' of frame 60 have adjustably secured thereto. as by set screws 18, iiared guides 19, 88 and 8| capable of being nestod one within the other as shown in Figs. 4 and 8 as well as being capable of adjustment relatively and with the frame 88. The sheet sections 18, which are formed by the cutters 1|, 14, and delivered therefrom through the guide l1, pass downwardly `therefrom through the flared guides 19,88, 8| and between cross feed devices`82, 85. These cross feed devices are arranged in two opposed rows extending substantially throughout the length of a horizontal guide 84 provided longitudinally thereof with a groove 85. This guide 84 and the cross feed devices 82, 83 which are carried thereby.` are adjustable with, and relative to, the frame 88. For this purpose, the guide 84 has bolted or otherwise suitably secured thereto over 'the side members 82, plates 85 in which are threaded wing screws 81 for releasably clamping said guide to said side members. The sheet sections 18 after passing between the cross feed devices 82, 83 enter the groove 85 of the guide 84, stand therein on their lower edges, and

are retained in vertical or standing position by the adjacent flared guide or guides while being fed therethrough laterally of frame 68- to the second or cross fold mechanism by said cross feed devices.

The cross feed devices 82 are comprised by` on the guide 84 at one side of the groove 85' therein, The shafts 88 have fixed thereon below the guide 84, small spur gears 89, the hubs 98 of which are secured in any suitable manner on the shafts 88. The gears 89 mesh with idler gears 9i disposed under the guide 84 and rotatable about substantially vertical axes provided by stud sf-rews 92 or the like extending loosely through openings in said idler gears and threaded or otherwise suitably secured on the guide 84 at the under side thereof.

The guide 84 has formed thereon, or suitably secured thereto, a fork 93 in which is journalled a small stud 94 having enlarged upper and lower ends 95 and 98 which engage said fork on opposite sides thereof to hold said stud against displacement vertically with respect thereto. The lower end 98 of the stud 94 has rigidly secured thereto, or formed integrally therewith, -a spur gear 91 which meshes with one of the idler gears 9|. This spur gear 91 serves to drive the idler gears 9| which, in turn, drive the gears 89, the shafts 88 and the cross feed devices or rollers 82. The gear 91, in turn, is driven by a vertical shaft i 98 extending through said gear, the stud 94, and

The i'ower end oi'v shaft 98 .is journalled in 'a suitable bearing |00 on the lower cross bar 8|, and the upper end of said shaft is journalled in a suitable bearinggigi formed on an offset portion |02 of the upper cross bar 59. This shaft 98 has fixed thereon above'the bearing |0|, a bevel gear- |03 that meshes with a similar gear |04 fixed on a shaft |05 which, together with said gear serves to drive the shaft 98. The shaft |05 is journalled in suitable bearings on the lugs 58 formed von the upper cross bar 59 of frame 80, and said shaft has fixed thereon a spur gear |06 which'meshes with the spur gear 12 on the cutter shaft 13. It will thus appear that when the machine is in operation and the frame B0 and parts carried thereby are in their full line positions shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the cutter shafts 51,13 will be driven through gears 56, 12 from gear 55, and that the rotatable parts on guide 84, in any position of adjustment ofthe latter on frame 60 will be drivenv from gear 12 through the described driving'connections for the latter with said parts.

The sheet sections 15, as before pointed out, are delivered onto guide 84, between the cross feed devices 82, 83 and feeding of said sections to said guide through the guides 11, 19, 80, 8| is effected by gravity and the action of feed Wheels or rollers |01, |08 that are fixed on the cutter shafts 51, 13. The cross feed devices 83 are disposed each opposite one of the cross feed devices or rollers 82 and cooperate therewith to hold the sheet sections 16 in engagement with guide 84 and feed said sections therealong to the second or cross fold mechanism as previously pointed out. For this purpose, the cross feed devices 83 are, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, comprised by balls or spherical rolling weights mounted and arranged as follows.

The guide 83 has secured thereto at intervals along the same, as by machine screws |09 (Fig. l) or other suitable fastening means, channel or trough shaped holders I0 in which the spherical cross feed devices 83 are mounted. These holders are disposed each opposite one of the cross feed devices or rollers 82 and are inclined downwardly toward the same so that the spherical devices 83 press downwardly through lower open ends of said holders against the adjacent sides of the lower edge portions of the sheet sections 16 and hold the sheet sections in engagement with the guide and the cross feed devices or rollers 82. The upper ends of the holders ||0 are provided with guards for preventing displacement of the devices 83 from said holders through the upper ends thereof, The cross feed devices or rollers 82 engage the sides of the lower edge portions of the sheet sections 18 opposite those engaged by the devices 83 and said devices 82, 83 cooperate to feed said sections one after another in standing position along guide 84, through a vertical guide ||2 of the second or cross feed mechanism, and between the rollers 49, 50 of the latter for the making of cross folds in the sections by said mechanism or delivery of the sheet sections therefrom without folding, as desired.

The movement of the leading sheet section, or the one nearest!4 the cross fold mechanism, is preferably accelerated to separate it from the remaining sheet sections a distance sufficient for feeding and folding of said sections, without interference, one after another by said mechanism as they are fed in like manner thereto. For

this purpose, the spherical device or devices 88 engaging said leading sheet section may be slightly heavier than the remaining devices I8 or the latter may be somewhat smaller or made of lighter material in either case such that the device or devices 83 engaging the leading sheet section are heavier than the remaining device or devices 83 and the movement of said section is therefore accelerated as aforesaid.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the operative relation of the parts has been established by swinging the frame 50 and parts carried thereby to their dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 1, swinging the supplemental frame 29, I0 and parts carried thereby from their dotted line positions (Fig. 1) to their full line positions, locking said supplemental frame and last named parts by engaging the bars 32 over pins 33, swinging frame 50 and parts carried thereby to their full line positions (Figs. 1 and 2) wherein gear 56 meshes with the underside of gear 55 (Fig. 7), and locking frame 80 and parts carried thereby in their operative or full line positions (Fig. 1) by engaging the hook 68 of bar 68 over stud 59 and tightening wing nut 10.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the holders ||0 for the spherical cross feed devices 83 are provided with trunnions ||3 journalled in lugs ||4 secured to or formed on the guide 84 the form of which is slightly different from that of the guide 84. In this case, the thin edge portion ||5 of guide 84 has threaded therethrough screws ||6 which engage the holders ||0 and by which the angle thereof with respect to the cross feed devices or rollers 82 may be varied, as desired. These cross feed devices 82', as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, are somewhat larger than the devices 82. The screw or screws ||6 for the holder or holders i0 carrying the device or devices 83 that engage the leading sheet section may, for example, be adjusted to increase the angle of said holder or holders, increase the pressure of said device or devices on said sheet section, and thereby accelerate its movement to separate it from the remaining sheet sections and insure orderly feeding and folding of all the sheet sections in sequence. These screws I6 are provided with knobs or handles ||1 for turning or adjusting them, and said screws are further provided with lock nuts |8 for retaining them in adjusted position. The adjusting screws i6 further serve to adjust any or all of the holders |0 in order to obtain the necessary or desired action of the spherical devices 83 on the sheet sections.

The construction, arrangement and operation of the parts of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is otherwise the same as set forth in connection with the ilrst described embodiment of said invention. It is pointed out, however, that as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the supplemental frame 29, 30 and folding devices carried thereby have been swung downwardly to their inoperative position illustrated in full lines, and that the guide 15 and cutters 1|, 14 are positioned opposite thel rollers 2|, 22 to receive the sheet material and produce separate sheet sections 16 that are delivered said cutters and rollers to the second or cross fold mechanism by the described cross feed de- -vices and in the manner previously pointed out.

In order to locate guide 15, cutters 1|, 14 and other parts on frame 60 as they are shown in Fig.

4, the side frame members 62, 62' are, through the described means for this purpose, adjusted relative tothe lower cross bar 6i so that upon swinging frame 60 into operative relation with the non-displaceable parts of thefirst fold mechanism, guide 15, cutters 1|, I4 and the cross feed mechanism will occupy the position shown in full line in Fig. 4 and the gears 55 and 66 will be brought into mesh as shown in Fig. 8 wherein it will be noted that the yaxis of rotation of gear 56 is above the axis of rotation of gear 55 instead of below it as shown in Figs. 2 and "1.

It will appear` from the foregoing that, in addition to the provision of means for producing separate sheet sections and feeding them standing on edge one after another to folding or other mechanisms at right angles to mechanism from which the material for said sections was delivered to said means, the present invention provides cutting devices and cross feed devices assembled as a unit adjustable with respect to relatively displaceable parts of folding or other mechanism in such manner as to receive sheet material from a preselected part or parts thereof, cut the material into separate sections and feed the latter, while in standing position, directly from said part or parts to another mechanism for folding, receiving or otherwise acting on said sections. It will further appear, that the present invention affords a cutting, guiding, and cross feeding mechanism the-parts of which are not only adjustable as a unit in the manner aforesaid, but which are also adjustable relative to each other in order to act upon sheets and sheet sections of different sizes.

, Two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein with more or less particularity but it is to be expressly understood that said invention is not limited to said embodiments or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed iszl. In a folding machine, a vertical bank or series of horizontal feeding and folding rollers and a plurality of horizontal fold plates associated with said bank or series alternately upon opposite sidesthereof, a vertical frame disposed below the rollers and said fold plates and having horizontal guide means and vertical guide means for a series of separate folded sheet sections delivered downwardly through the latter to stand on their lower edges on the horizontal guide means, cutting mechanismmounted on the vertical frame and comprising a plurality of spaced cutters rotatable on a horizontal axis and adapted to form the series of separate sheet sections from a folded sheet delivered to said cutters through certain of said rollers, a cross fold mechanism adjacent one end of the horizontal guide means and comprising a vertical fold plate and similarly disposed feeding and folding rollers associated therewith, and cross feed devices arranged on the horizontal guide means in two opposed rows extending therealong substantially throughout the length thereof, said cross feed devices being adapted to engage the lower edge portions of the series of folded sheet sections on both sides of each section and feed said sections one after another in standing position along said horizontal guide means and through said vertical guide means to said cross fold mech- 70 anlsm 7g adjacent said bank, said cutters being rotatable on a substantially horizontal axis and adapted to form a Vseries of separate sheet sections from a sheet delivered thereto through certain of said rollers, a horizontal guide disposed below the cutters and onto which the series of sheet sections are delivered to stand on their lower edges thereon along the same, a cross fold mechanism adjacent one end of the horizontal guide and comprising al vertical fold plate and similarly disposed feeding and folding rollers associated therewith, and cross feed devices arranged on the horizontal guide in two opposed rows extending therealong substantially throughout the length thereof, said cross feed devices being adapted to engage the lower edge Aportions of the series of sheet sections on both sides of each of the same and feed said sections one after another in standing position along said guide to said cross fold mechanism.

' 3. In a folding machine, a series of horizontal feeding and folding rollers and one or more fold plates associated therewith, means adjacent said series for cutting separate sections from a sheet delivered thereto through certain of said rollers, a horizontal guide disposed below the cutting means and onto which the sheet sections are delivered to stand on their lower edges thereon along the' same, a cross fold mechanism adjacent one end of the guide and comprising a fold plate and feeding and folding rollers associated therewith at right angles to said first named rollers, and cross feed devices arranged in two opposed rows substantially parallel with the horizontal guide and extending substantially throughout the length thereof, said cross feed devices being adapted to engage the lower edge portions of the sheet sections on both sides of each of the same and feed said sections one after another in standing position along said guide to said cross fold mechanism.

4. In a folding machine, horizontally disposed mechanism for making parallel folds in sheet material, means adjacent said mechanism for cutting separate sections from a sheet delivered therefrom, a horizontal guide disposed below said means and onto which the sheet sections are delivered downwardly to stand on their lower edges, a cross fold mechanism mounted adjacent one end of the guide at right angles to sail first named mechanism, and cross feed devices arranged in two opposed rows substantially parallel with the horlzontal guide and extending substantially throughout the length thereof, said cross feed devices being adapted to engage the lower edge portions of the sheet sections on both sides of each of the same and feed said sections one after another in standing position along said guide to said cross fold mechanism.

5. In a folding machine, a plurality of means rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and adapted to cut a sheet into a series of separate sections, a substantially horizontal guide disposed below said plurality of means and onto which the sheet sections are delivered to stand on their lower edges thereon, folding mechanism adjacent one end of the guide,` and cross feed devices arranged in two opposed rows substantially parallel with the guide and extending therealong substantially throughout the length thereof, mid cross feed devices being adapted to engage the lower edge portions of the series of sheet sections on both sides of each of the same and feed said sections one after another in standing position along said guide to said folding mechanism.

6. In a folding machine, means for making one or more folds in a sheet and comprising relatively displaceable sets of horizontal feeding and folding rollers and at least one fold plate associated with the rollers of each set, a plurality of spaced cutters rotatable on a horizontal axis and adapted to cut the sheet into a. series of separate sections, a vertical frame carrying the cutters adjacent the top thereof and adjustable for positioning of said cutters opposite different sets of rollers to receive the sheets therefrom, a horizontal guide adjustable with and relative to the frame and mounted thereon below the cutters in spaced relation therewith, means on the frame for directing the series of sheet sections downwardly therethrough to stand on their lower edges on the horizontal guide, a cross fold mechanism adjacent one end of the guide and comprising a fold plate and a set of feeding and folding rollers associated therewith at right angles to said first named rollers, and cross feed devices arranged on the horizontal guide in two opposed rows extending therealong substantially throughout the length thereof, said cross feed devices being adapted to engage the lower edge portions of the series of sheet sections on both sides of each section and feed said sections one after another in standing position along said horizontal guide and through said frame to said cross fold mechanism.

7'. In a folding machine, means for making one or more folds in a sheet and comprising relatively displaceable sets of parallel feeding and folding rollers and one or more fold plates associated with the rollers of each set, cutting means rotatable on an axis parallel with the rollers and adapted to cut the sheet into a plurality of separate sections, a guide parallel with and spaced from said axis, a movable frame carrying the cutting means and the guide and providing therewith a unit adjustable for positioning of said cutting means opposite different sets of said rollers to receive the sheet therefrom, means on .the frame for directing the separate sheet sections to the guide and retaining them in position along the same, a cross fold mechanism adjacent one end of the guide and comprising a fold plate and a set of feeding and folding rollers associated therewith at right angles to said first named rollers, and means for feeding the separate sheet sections one after another along said guide and through said frame to said cross fold mechanism.

8. In a folding machine, folding means for making one or more folds in a sheet and comprising relatively displaceable sets of folding devices, a guide disposed in spaced relation with the folding means, cutting means interposed between said folding means and the guide and adapted to cut the sheet into separate sections that are delivered to the guide, movable means carrying the cutting means and the guide and providing therewith a unit adjustable to receive the sheet from different sets of said folding devices, cross folding means adjacent one end of the guide, and means for feeding said sheet sections one after another along said guide to said cross folding means.

9. In a folding machine, folding means for making one or more folds in a sheet and comprising relatively displaceable sets of folding devices, cutting means adapted to cut the sheet into separate sections, movable means carrying the cutting means for positioning the latter in operative relation with different sets of said folding devices to receive the sheet therefrom, a guide to which the sheet sections are delivered, cross folding means adjacent one end of the guide. and means for feeding said sheet sections along said guide' to said cross folding means.

10. In a folding machine, folding means for making one or more folds in a sheet and comprising relatively displaceable sets of folding devices, and cutting means and feeding means adjustable as a unit with respect to said folding means to receive the sheet selectively from different sets of devices thereof, said unit comprising means for cutting said sheet into separate sections and means for guiding and feeding said sections.

11. In a folding machine, folding means for making one or more folds in sheet material, cutting means and feeding means, and movable means carrying the cutting means and the feeding means and providing for adjustment oi' both of the same as alunit relative to said folding means.

12. In a folding machine, folding means for making one or more folds in sheet material, cutting means and feeding means, and movable means carrying the cutting means and the feeding means and providing for adjustment of both of the same as a unit relative to said folding means, said feeding means and said cutting means being mounted on said movable means for relative adjustment.

13. In a folding machine, horizontal means for folding a sheet and cutting it into sections, a horizontal guide therebelow, means for directing the sheet sections downwardly to the guide simultaneously and for retaining the same in standing position thereon during movement of the sheet sections along the guide, for feeding the sheet sections along the guide and rotatable about axes substantially at right angles thereto, and aseries of spherical elements for holding said sections in engagement with said rollers and said guide.

14. In a folding machine, means for folding a sheet, a substantially horizontal guide therebelow, means for cutting the sheet into separate sections, means for directing the sections downwardly to the guide simultaneously and for retaining said sections in standing position on the guide during movement of the same therealong, driven rollers for feeding the sections along the guide and rotatable about axes substantially at right angles thereto, and spherical elements for holding said sections in engagement with said rollers and said guide, said rollers and spherical elements being arranged in two opposed rows extending along the guide substantially throughout its length to feed and fold each of the sheet sections as aforesaid.

15. In a folding machine, means for folding a sheet and dividing it into a series of separate folded sections, a substantially horizontal guide therebelow onto which the series of folded sections are simultaneously delivered downwardly in standing position thereon, a series of substantially vertical driven rollers mounted on the guide for feeding the folded sections therealong, a series of spherical elements carried by said guide for holding the folded sections in engagement' with the rollers and said guide, said rollers and spherical elements being arranged in two opposed rows extending along the guide substantially throughout its length to feed and fold each of the folded sheet sections as aforesaid, and means providing for adjustment of the guide, the rollers, and the spherical elements as a unit toward and away from said folding means.

16. In a folding machine, a substantially horizontal guide, folding means adjacent one end series of driven rollers thereof, means for forming and directing a plurality of sheet sections vertically to the guide simultaneously and forl retaining said sectionsl in standing position thereon during movement of the same therealong, and a series of pairs of means for feeding the sheet sections one after another in standing position along said guide to the folding means, said series extending along the guide substantially from one end to the other thereof and including a device or devices adapted." to accelerate the movement of the leading sheet section to said folding means.

17. In a folding machine, folding means for making oney or more folds in sheet material and comprising relatively displaceable sets of folding devices, conveying means adjustable with respect to said folding means to receive said material selectively from different sets of said folding devices, and a plurality of ilared guides mounted on said conveying means for adjustment with the same and with respect to each other.

18. In combination, a substantially horizontal guide along which sheets may be fed in standing position thereon, a row of substantially vertical short rollers adjacent the guide for feeding the sheets therealong as aforesaid, holders disposed. opposite the rollers and inclined downwardly to-` ward the same, and spherical elements mounted in the holders to ooact with said rollers in the feeding of said sheets along said guide.

19. In combination, a substantially horizontal guide along which sheets may be fed in standing position thereon, a row of substantially vertical, short rollers adjacent the guide for'feeding thei sheets therealong as aforesaid, holders disposed opposite the rollers and inclined downwardly toward the same, spherical elements mounted in the holders to coact with the rollers in the feeding of said sheets along said guide, and means for varying the inclination of said holders with respect to said rollers.

20. In combination, a vertical frame, cross feed mechanism mounted on the frame and adjustable vertically thereon to differentpositlons, and a plurality of flared guides positioned above the cross feed mechanism and mounted on said frame for adjustment thereon with respect to each other.

LAWRENCE HITCHCOCK. H. MORLEY HITCHCOCK, C. W. HITCHCOCK, D. B. MEACHAM, Ezecutors of the Estate of Reuben Hitchcock,

Deceased. 

